City of Kuopio

Sampling year: 2015

Sample media: topsoil (0–10 cm): aqua regia extractable concentrations from the <2 mm grain-size fraction

Land use: various land use classes in urban areas

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) has investigated geochemical baseline concentrations in the city of Kuopio. Altogether, 118 topsoil samples were collected from the city centre and suburban areas of Kuopio in 2015. The sample sites represented various land uses in urban areas. Samples were collected from 10-cm-deep pits. Concentrations for 37 elements were analysed after aqua regia extraction. In addition to that, carbon content and pH value were determined from all samples and PAH and PCB compounds were analysed from every 10th sample

Concentrations of metals and arsenic were relatively low in urban topsoil in Kuopio. The concentrations of arsenic, cobalt, lead and vanadium in single urban soil samples exceeded the threshold values given in the Decree (VNa 214/2007). The lower guideline values of Cu and V were exceeded in two samples. No elevated lead concentrations were observed near main roads.

Threshold values given in the Decree of the Assessment of soil contamination and remediation needs (VNa 214/2007) can be applied to all studied elements in Kuopio while the upper limit of baseline variation was lower than the threshold values. Upper limit of baseline variation was calculated for several elements that are not included in the Decree

Report

Tornivaara, A., Tarvainen, T. & Karlsson, T. 2016. Kuopion taajama-alueiden maaperän taustapitoisuudet. Geologian tutkimuskeskus. Arkistoraportti 24/2016. 42 s http://tupa.gtk.fi/raportti/arkisto/83_2016.pdf

Upper recommended limits of baseline variation (SSTP) of selected elements in soils of City of Kuopio and the threshold values (Decree 214/2007).